High Surf — Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

1999-02-16 to 1999-02-18 · Island of Hawaii, Hawaii

Wider weather episode

An intense storm south and east of New Zealand caused surf of 6 to 10 feet along south shores of all Hawaiian Islands. The New Zealand storm on 10 February had 50-knot winds and was 5,400 miles south of Hawaii, moving from Antarctica toward South America. On Oahu, high surf tore loose a navigational buoy marking the Ala Wai Boat Harbor channel. Lifeguards reported 20 rescues-mostly in the Waikiki area. A veteran surfer at Black Point reported that he was among about 25 surfers that were riding waves up to 20 feet on the morning of 16 February.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5688926. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.